December 7 is 72nd Anniversary of the Bombing of Pearl Harbor

[media-credit name=”File Photo” align=”aligncenter” width=”495″][/media-credit] Harbor Rescue-While smoke rolls out of the stricken USS West Virginia on Dec. 7, 1941 after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, a small boat rescues one of the battleship’s seamen, in foreground. Two men may be seen on the superstructure, upper center. The most of the USS Tennessee may be seen beyond the burning West Virginia.

On the morning of December 7, 1941, the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japanese fighter planes.

The following day President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan, leading the U.S. into World War II.

[media-credit name=”File Photo” align=”aligncenter” width=”495″][/media-credit] Let’s Have at It was the attitude of these Lowry field soldiers as they read the news of the war with Japan in The Denver Post extra Sunday afternoon. The soldiers are, left to right, James D. Pearson, Charles D. Edwards, Junior Townsend and Azzan McKagan, all from the south. They are attached to the 365th school squadron at Lowry field. As they scanned The Post extra, they shrugged their shoulders and said: “Glad the thing has come to a head.” This seemed the attitude of most of the public.

[media-credit name=”File Photo” align=”aligncenter” width=”495″][/media-credit] A massive fireball erupts from the destroyer, the USS Shaw, at the moment the ship’s ammunition magazine exploded during the Dec. 7, 1941 Japanese attack on PearlHarbor. . The ship was later repaired.

[media-credit name=”File Photo” align=”aligncenter” width=”495″][/media-credit] Attack on Ford Island- Crewmen watch the explosions on Battleship Row during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Extensive damage was done to the seaplanes on this runway, near Hangar 6, at Ford Island during the Dec. 7, 1941 bombing.

[media-credit name=”File Photo” align=”aligncenter” width=”495″][/media-credit] Ready for Mission–Japanese naval aircraft ready for take off from aircraft carrier Hiryu in the early morning of Dec. 7, 1941. The plane in the foreground is a “Zeke” fighter, according to information with this Japanese photograph that was captured on in 1943.

[media-credit name=”File Photo” align=”aligncenter” width=”495″][/media-credit] The USS Shaw lies in dry-dock after being hit by three bombs which exploded her forward magazine. Part of the dry-dock at right is under water and the other side (dry-dock wall) is listing heavily.

[media-credit name=”File Photo” align=”aligncenter” width=”495″][/media-credit] The USS Nevada burns after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.

[media-credit name=”File Photo” align=”aligncenter” width=”495″][/media-credit] Sailors search the sky for raiders at Pearl Harbor Navel Air Station after the Japanese attack, December 7, 1941.

[media-credit name=”File Photo” align=”aligncenter” width=”495″][/media-credit] Burning Arizona–The USS Arizona, burning after the Japanese attack on PearlHarbor. This photo was made from the Ford Island side of the vessel.

[media-credit name=”File Photo” align=”aligncenter” width=”495″][/media-credit] The U.S. Navy map of PearlHarbor shows the approximate position of U.S. ships on December 7, 1941. The map was prepared as part of battle port project describing combat action during the first six months of the war.

“a date which will live in infamy”President Franklin D. Roosevelt

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